Pad box for attaching machine



Dec. 27, 1955 J. s. KAMBORIAN 2,728,095

PAD BOX FOR ATTACI-IING MACHINE Filed Oct. 17, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l a j; f4 I I 494 I 9a fd WQ De 27, 1955 J. s. KAMBORIAN 2,728,095

PAD BOX FOR A\ITACIIING MACHINE Filed Oct. 17, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent- Oiiice 2,728,095 Patented Dec. 27, 1955 @7281.995 PAD B0X F013V automne Jacob S. Kamborian, 'West Newton, hiess. APlllicfQll. Qfher. 17, 1.9.5.2, .No 3,115,227

3 Claims: (CL

This invention relates :to mahnes for applying con forming pressure to shoe soles such as described in Amy copending application for sole attaching machines` and more especially to an improved pad boxanddiaphragm therefor.

It is conventional in sole attaching machines to employ a pad box which has a iiexible diaphragm-stretched across its top on which may be placed a lasted shoe and a sole which is to be adhesively attached thereto and while holding the assembled shoe and ,sole on Athe diaphragm, for example, by means of a jack, nating the diaphragm by admitting ud to the pad box beneath the diaphragm so as `to press the sole against .the :bottom of the shoe.

The principal Vobiects of this invention are to provide an improved sole attaching unit including ,a pad box with an inflatable diaphragm and jack for holding the work on the diaphragm wherein the conforming pressure applied by iniiation of the diaphragm is confined to the forepart of the shoe and shank exclusively of the heel thereby to prevent damage to the counter; without impairiug the conforming action at the forepart and to provide a novel diaphragm which will not only etlect application of conforming pressure in .the manner described but will have the added characteristic of plliability within the conforming area which will insure conformaf tion of the sole accurately to the shoe bottom regardless vof its size or the depth of its shank making it peculiarly uscfpl in operating upon deep shank shoes. ,It is to be understood that as in the aforesaid copending application, the unit is equally applicable for leveling enfd irQIiing outer soles which have already been permanently attached to the bottom of lasted shoes; or for prehalling inner and outer soles preparatory'to their assembly with the parts of the shoe.

As herein illustrated the which there is applied a pad box. .has an orteil t0n IQ flexible diaphragml the Adiaphragm being made fast to the rim of the' box so that the part spanning the top is free to flex. Near yone end of the pad box the diaphragm is stiffenechthe stiiened' portion'having bearing'engagement with the rim of the box so that the pressure of the jack on'the last` lfails to ydepress that portion of the diaphragm into the box and iniiating pressure within the box will not produce outward deformation' of the diaphragm so `as to Ywrap it about the part of the shoe supported thereon. The stiiening is elfected by Vixicorporating a metal plate within the vsubstance of the diaphragmpf such'dirnensons that. an end and edges will bear lagainst the rim of the box ywhen the diaphragrnis ylevel with ,the Forwardly of the plate the exibility and the elasticity of the diaphragm is undiminished, the stiiening in no way impaiiing the pliability and hence the' wrappingaction in this part. in fact the pliability and hence' the wrapping action is improved in accordance the invention by making that portion of the diaphragm with the forepart of the shoe has contact thinner and this is attained herein by'r'emoving a thin layer from the underside of the diaphragm thus to thereof. Preferably, the .diaphragm is multi-ply and to render itmore pliable an appropriately located portion Iof* the bottom layer is removed.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. l shows a side elevation of 'the pad box;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the bottom side of the dia- Phrasm;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the top Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the pad box;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the pad box;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary elevation in section showing the conformation of the diaphragm to the lower part of the last under conforming pressure; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section through a part of the sheet material of which the diaphragm is made. i

Referring to the drawings the pad box (Figs. 1 and 4) is a substantially rectangular rigid box 10, cast or fabricated of sheet metal depending upon what is most expedient, having an open top over which is stretched and fastened in place by clamp frame 12, a exible diaphragm 14, the marginal portions 18 of which are drawn over the rim lo of the box and anchored between it and the clamp as is illustrated in Fig. 4. A number of lugs 20 are formed on the walls of the box near the rim and a corresponding number of lugs 22 are formed on the clamping frame 12 to receive bolts 24 for fastening the clamping frame to the box.

.To secure suicient anchorage of the diaphragm to the rim of the box to withstand the pressures applied thereto during operating conditions and to allow for free exing without unduly pinching the marginal material, it is desirable to apply the clamping pressure over a broad area hence the rim 16 of the box has a bead like edge 26, the outer surface of which is tangent to the plane of the walls. Consequently, when the diaphragm is laid over the rim as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the margin 13 will follow a smooth `curve and will have bearing contact at the top of the head, the outer side and a portion of the side walls. Thus as will be seen by reference to Fig. Ll, the clamp frame 12 does not constrict the marginal edge of the diaphragm unduly at any particular point out applies a uniform clamping pressure throughout.

The working part of the diaphragm indicated at 28 which lies within the inner margin of the clamping frame 12 is substantially rectangular and of a suiicient area to receive the work to be operated upon. The substance or' this diaphragm is normally made pliable so as to be free to flex under the application of a iiuid pres sure within the box so as to conform to the bottom of a lasted shoe held against it. Thus a sole to which adhesive has been applied may be attached to the lasted bottom of the shoe by placing it together with the lasted shoe on the diaphragm, holding it down with a suitable jack and then iniiating the diaphragm so as to cause -it to ywrap itself about the lower or bottom part of the shoe and by doing so to press the sole into close conformity with the shape of the shoe.

In order to secure a conforming pressure which will be uniform regardless of the size of the shoe or the depth of the shank, a diaphragm of considerably more exibility and elasticity is used than heretofore. Such a diaphragm, however, tends to conform too closely to the heel end of the shoe with a result that the counter is mashed, by the combined pressure of the jack from above and the diaphragm from below. In order to secure the high exibility desired for complete conformation of the forepart of the shoe without damaging the counter at the heel end of the shoe a highly exible and elastic diaphragm is used herein which is stitened throughout a part of its area,

side of the diaphragm;

www 1 namely that part which is to receive the heel in such manner as not to interfere with the normal ilexibility of the remaining portion thereof or alternatively the remaining portion may be made of even greater liexibility.Y l The foregoing is attained herein by employing asheet of three ply material 30, the plies or layers 32 of which as shown in Fig. 7 consist of a body of rubber or rubber-like substance within which there is incorporated a fabric 34, for example, a cotton fabric. The layers are normally vulcanized or cemented together so that the sheet functions in the same manner as would a homogeneous sheet of corresponding thickness. ln accordance with this invention one of the layers of such a sheet which has previously been cut to have the required dimensions for application tothe box as a diaphragm is peeled away from the adjacent'sheet near one end and a substantially rectangular sheet of metal 36 (Figs. 2 to 5) is placed between the layers together with a suitable adhesive or cement whereupon the layer which is peeled back is restored to its original position and pressed firmly in place so that the plate 36 is incorporated in the diaphragm. The plate 36 is preferably made of a spring sheet steel, and is so dimensioned that it will span the transverse width of the box. One edge of the plate and the adjacent side yedges are beveled as shown at 38 so that when the diaphragm is depressed by application of pressure, for example, when the jack is brought into engagement with a last resting on the diaphragm, the depression of the diaphragm throughout the area within which the plate is located will be limited by engagement of the rear and side edges of the plate 36 with the bead 16, it being understood of course that the plate does not have actual metal to metal contact with the bead since one layer of the diaphragm underlies the plate. The beveled edges of the plate permit the plate to seat itself below the inner sides of the bead 16 so that the upper surface 40 will be substantially level with the rim of the box, that is tangent to the top of the bead. The beveling has the additional function of permitting depression of the platey which naturally squeezes the underlying layer of the diaphragm without constricting it to the point of cutting into its substance,

As thus reinforced or stiffened, when a last L as shown in Figs. and 6 is placed on the diaphragm with the heel end thereof resting on the plate 36 and a jack I is brought into engagement with the last so as to force it downwardly against the face of the diaphragm, the plate 36 will support the heel end of the last preventing it from embedding itself in the diaphragm. The unstiifened part of the diaphragm` forwardly of the plate however will yield to cradle the forepart of the shoe as shown in Fig. 5 and to conform somewhat to the shape of the forepart. During inflation, that is the application of conforming pressure which is applied to the diaphragm by pressure within the box, the plate 36 may be unseated to some extent depending upon the pressure employed but the diaphragm is prevented from wrapping about the heel end of the last by the stiffness imparted to it by the plate. The forward part of the diaphragm however is not constrained and hence will wrap itself about the lower part of the shoe affording the desired conforming action.

While not essential in itspreferred form the ilexibility of the diaphragm forwardly of the plate 36 is increased so as to provide an even better conforming action by removing a portion of the underside of the diaphragm throughout at least that portion of the area with which the shoe bottom actually has contact. As illustrated (Figs. 2, 3 and 5) a portion of the lower ply or layer 32 having the configuration defined by theV line 42, is cut away on a bevel so as to expose the next layer. In Fig. 3 this area is shown in dotted lines and its location with reference to the normal position of a shoe bottom resting on the diaphragm is illustrated by the dot and dash line 44 which represents generally the contact of the bottom of the shoe with the upper side of the diaphragm. The

removal of an area of Vthe bottom layer of the shape illusY to its ultimate clamping position a last-L is placed on the trated increases the flexibility of the diaphragm and its elasticity thereby providing-for better conforming action without impairing the required conforming pressure. In Fig. 3 where the outline of the contact of the shoe bottom is superposed on theoutline of the area of the bottom layer removed, a portion of the removed layer is shown lying outside of the shoe bottom opposite the inside of the shank. This is desirablebecause it makes the daphragm more pliable the vicinity of the shank so that in a deep shank shoe it will conform readilyand accurately to thc contour of the shoe.

After the ldiaphragm has been made by cutting it-to shape, inserting the plate 36 and removing the part of the lower ply 32 represented by the dotted line 42, it is laid across the top of the box so that it rests on the bead 16 and then clamping frame 12 is placed over it and partially drawn down. Before the clamping frame is drawn down diaphragm in the position it would normally occupy with its heel resting on the plate 36 and its forepart above the part made more flexible, is then pressed downwardly so as to force the forepart of the last into the diaphragm and at thel same time deflect or depress the diaphragm downwardly to form a sort of shallow cradle whereupon the clamping frame is brought'up tight. Thus in the nished pad boitV a permanent shallow cradle C will be present which serves to assist the voperator in placing the shoe in a proper position for conforming pressure. As the apparatus is used of course the constant stretching and conforming of the diaphragm to the shoe bottom increases the cradling of the diaphragm so that it is very easy for the operator to quickly locate the shoe in its proper position. To further facilitate proper'location of the shoe, marks may be placed on the top of the diaphragmcorresponding to different shoe sizes to locate the position of 'the heel onv the plate 36 and/or the toe in the cradle.

From the foregoing it is-apparent that the special advantages afforded by the pad box and diaphragm illustrated are that a very accurate conforming action may be secured throughout the shank and forepart of the shoe without damage tothe heel end of the shoe, that a diaphragm is'provided which will be equally useful for conforming shallow and deep shank shoes, that its construction and application to the box is such that it will withstand repeated ilexure of the pressure imparted thereto by the'jack without destruction and that it facilitates correctlocation of the shoe for'application of conforming pressure thereto.

It should be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose of illustration only and that this invention includes all modifications and equivalents which fall within the scope'of the appended claims. v

l. A pad for a sole laying unit in which a jack is employed for'fholding a shoe against the pad during the application-ofconforming pressure thereto, said pad comprising a box, a diaphragm conformable to the bottom of a shoe placed thereon, lmeans fastening the edges of the diaphragm tothe'rim of the box leaving the remainder thereof free' to flex, a heel support incorporated in the freely flexible portion of the diaphragm 'adjacent one end of the box, said heel support being unattached to the omY except by 'way 'of the diaphragm and having a transverse widthexceeding the inside width of the box at its rim, said rim forming a s eat for the endsof the heel support preventing it from being depressed below the level ol the rim, 'and said support being stiff and imparting stiffness to that part of the diaphragm in which it is incorporated without impairing the flexibilityof the remainder of .itA and Without interfering 'with upward deflection;

of the diaphragm.. as a whole with respect tothe rim of thebox. y i j -1 2. A pad forvk a. sole laying unitiu which a jack is em ployed fonh'olding a shoe against theppad-,dlllng.hpn

plication of conforming pressure thereto, said pad comprising a box having a exible diaphragm conformabie to the bottom of a shoe placed thereon, means fastening the edges of the diaphragm to the rim of the box leaving the remainder thereof free to ex, a rigid plate incorporated in the diaphragm near one end of the box for supporting the heel of a shoe resting on the diaphragm, said rigid plate being attached to the box solely by way of the flexible diaphragm, and being dimensioned so that three of its edges seat against the rim of the box and resist displacement of that portion of the diaphragm in which it is incorporated below the level of the rim without interfering with its upward movement or impair-ing the flexibility of the remainder of the diaphragm.

3. A pad for a sole laying unit in which a jack is employed for holding Work against the pad, said pad comprising an open top box with a bead-like rim, a exible diaphragm subtending the open top, means fastening the diaphragm to the rim of the box so that the subtending portion is free to flex, and a rigid plate incorporated in the diaphragm adjacent one end, said plate having beveled edges along its underside adapted to rest on the inwardly and downwardly inclined surfaces of the bead-like rim to support the plate with its upper surface substantially level with the top of the beaded rim, said plate resisting depression of that part of the diaphragm with which it is associated below the level of the rim without impairing flexibility of the remainder thereof.

References Cited in the iile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 244,583 Giord et al. July 19, 1881 942,133 Davenport Dec. 7, 1909 1,725,103 Ray Ang. 20, 1929 1,727,589 Erickson Sept. l0, 1929 1,888,987 King et al. Nov. 29, 1932 2,020,288 Bresnahan Nov. l2, 1935 2,059,831 Willey Nov. 3, 1936 2,311,325 Anderson Feb. 16, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS 332,385 Great Britain July 24, 1930 482,368 Great Britain Mar. 28, 1938 649,789 France Sept. 4, 1928 

